Once Shepard enters their orbit in the Normandy, they can learn about each planet and scan them in search of Element Zero, Iridium, Platinum, and Palladium. Many of the planetary systems in Mass Effect 2 are unexplored. To upgrade weapons, armor, squad powers, and even the Normandy SR-2 in Mass Effect 2, Shepard will need to explore the various star systems of the Milky Way and gather rare resources.
